Apparatus for loading and ramming projectiles in guns



Dec. 2, 1924 1,517,758

. E. SCHNEIDER APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND RAMMING `PROJECTILES IN GUNS Filed July s, 1925 5 sheets-sheet 1 E. SCHNEIDER APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND RAMMING PROJECTILES IN GUNS Filed July 3, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. .2, 1924. 1,517,758 l E. SCHNEIDER Y APPARATUS FOR LOADING AND RAMMING PROJECTILES IN GUNS Filed July 5, 1923 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patent Dec. 2, 1924.

EUGNE SCHNEIDER, OF QPRIS, FRANCE, ASSIGNOR To SCHNEIDER a CIE.,o1:g` PARIS,

FRANCE, AQLIMITED JOINT srocx COMPANY or FRANCE.

APPARATUS EoxLoADING AND RAMMING PRoJECTILEs IN GUNS.

Application led July 3,

To all' 'whom it may camera.'

Be it known that I, EUGENE SCHNEIDER, a citizen of the Republic of France, resident of Paris', France have invented new and useful improvements in Apparatus for Loading and RammingProjectiles in Guns, which is fully set forth in lthe, following specicatipn.

rllhe present to provide an improved apparatus for loading and ramming projectiles in guns, of the known `type comprising a loading guide plate or trough pivoted to the gun carriage cradle, and normally effaced and capable of being turned up by hand into position along the axis of the gun barrel combined with a rammer whose operation is automatically assured by means of a recuperator. A

The improved apparatus allows of reducing the rectilinear stroke of the rammer, and, if desired, to the length of the projectile to be rammed, whilst ensuring that the rammer proper shall have at the end of its rectilinear inward movement, a pivotal movement in its own plane by means of a device kinematically connected or co-ordinated with the loading trough in such a manner that the said device shall be placed out of operation when the loading trough is moved out of the way, and inversely, the said device is moved into its operative position when the said loading trough has been brought into .position along the axis of Vthe gun barrel for the purpose of loading. The reductionv of the rectilinear stroke of the rammer allows of arranging the extreme rear position assumed by the rammer in its return movement, close to the rear end of the gun barrel, this movement serving. lto reduce, when firing at; high angles, the super-elevation which is necessary to give to the gun barrel for the required height of the line of fire.

A practical embodiment of thi's invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings in which Figure 1 is an end View in partial section of the'irnproved loading and ragnming apparatus, the parts being shown 1n the position they occupy at the termination of the ramming operation.

F igures2 and 2a constitute a longitudlnal sectional elevation taken along the 'line 2 2 of Figures l and 3.

invention has for its object` 1923. Serial No. 649,307.

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar longitudinal sectional elevation showing the parts in the position they occupy when the loading trough has been moved down after the loading has been effected.

Figures 5 and 5a constitute a longitudinal sectional elevation showing the parts in the position the occupy at theend of the recoil before the oading trough has been turned up into line with the axis ofthe gun barrel. Figure 6 is a horizontal section corre# sponding to Figure 5.

Figure 7 1s a sectional elevation taken, like the preceding figures parallel tothe plane of the rammer, and showing the loading troughVV moved together with the .projectile .in line`with the axis of the gun barrel, the

rammer being disengaged, and the device for .reducing the rectilinear stroke of the rammer having been brought into its operatlve position.

Figure 8 is la similar sectional elevation vsnowing the projectile incompletely rammed,

the rammer being in an intermediate position of pivotation. This same figure indicates in dot-and-dash lines the initial and inal positions of pivotation of the said rammer.

Figure 9 is a partial section taken the line 9 9 of Figure 6.

In these figures: A is the barrel of a gun; 'B is the 4gun carriage cradle. I

The improved loading and ramming apparatus comprises in the known manner a' loading trough C which is pivot'ed by means of two arms C1, C2 to the cradle B, so that it can be moved at will by handinto the position of effacement indicated in dot-anddash lines in Figure l and in full lines in Figure 6, or into the loading position shown in full lines in Figures 1 and 7. The improved apparatus comprises also in the known manner, va rod D movable in arecuperator cylinder F carrying for this purposea guide D1 and an extension D2 having a diameter greater than that of D. The cylinder F communicates through an orifice f with a chamber F 1 in which'air or a neutral gas is compressed over the free surface of the liquid, when, in the recoil movement,

along the rod D2 takes the placeof the rod D in the cylinder F.

The rod D is, also in the known manner, engaged at the end of the recoil by a mechanism and by means of a bolt d the disengagement 'of which is assured automatically by the mere fact of the turning up of the loading trough C into the axis of the gun barrel. This mechanism may comprise for example a toothed sector G fixed on the pivot in 01 of the connecting rod C1 and meshing with a pinion G1 fixed on a shaft-G2 journalled in the cradle B. This shaft carries a second pinion G3 meshing with a toothed sector H pivoted at h ,on the cradle B. The sector H is connected by a rod HL to a rod H2 sliding in the cradle B and carrying a heel h2 Ifor actuating the bolt for the purposeof disengaging the rod D.

According tothe invention the rammel' proper E is arrangedin such a manner as to receive first a rectilinear movement,- and then, at the end of its stroke, a pivotal move nient around the axle-pin e of the rod D. For this purpose a; guiding member I is pivoted at to the cradle B and is kinematically connected to the loading trough C in such a manner that it will be effaced with the latter, and, inversely, brought with into its operative position together With the said trough. L

In the illustrated example the connection between the guiding member I and the loading trough is effected by means of a guideslot il formedin the guiding member, and wherein there engages a stud h1 projecting laterally from the toothed sector H as shown more particularly in Figure 6. The turning up movement of the loading trough C into the axis of the gun barrel thus acts, through the medium of the sector H, to raise the guidemember I from the position shown in Figures4L and 5 into the position shown in Figures 7, 8 and-2. In this-raised position the Aguiding member I constitutes a guide cam for a roller elrmountedI on the` end of a finger E1 projecting from the hub of the rammel' E. f Outside its guidance in the recuperator, the rod D is guided by means of a slideblock DI working in grooves in the cradle B. 'Y Normally the rammer E is engaged by a spring stud e2, ifn a'boss D* formed in the end of the rod D. y

Assuming the loading trough to beeiaced and the gun loaded, the parts will occupy the ositionshown in Figure 4. IWhen the gun 1s lfired, the gun barrel recoils, the cradle and the -recuperator F remaining stationary. In the recoil the gun barrel carries along with it, by means of a shoulder a, the bolt d and by means of the latter the rod `D-D1-.-D2.. By the. mere fact of the entrance of the rod section D2, the'liquid is;vy`

-orced through the orifice f into the cham'- ber F1. v v bolt d which was kept raised vby the slide` Towards the end of the recoil thev ramp b formed on the cradle is forced down by its spring d1 against the end of the said ramp b, and thus assumes a position near the heel 11.2 of the rod H2.

While the rod for operating the rammer remains engaged in the position shown in Figure 5, the gun-server laces a. projectile into the loading trough and then turns the latter by hand u towards the axis of the un barrel. In t is movement the oon-` nectmg rod C1 by means of the sector G operates the transmission G1-G2G3 'an through the latter also the sector H. This sector H, in rotatin acts on the one hand to move the rods 1, H2 and conse uently causes the raising of the bolt d. Dn the other hand by means of the finger h1 the rotation of the sector H acts to raise the guiding member I.

When the loading trough carrying the projectile is brought into the axis of the gun barrel the arts occupy the position shown in Figure The raising of the bolt d allows Lthe recuperator F to come into operation and push the rod D2-D1D forwards, In the first portion of the re-entry of the rod D and of the rammer E, the latter moves parallelly to itself until it occupies the position indicated in dot-and-dash lines II in Figures 8. From this moment onwards the roller e1 encounters the guiding member I, thus producing a rocking movement of the rammer E which will then clcupy the position shown in full lines in Figure 8, and which, in rocking rams the projectile. into'its place in. the gun barrel chamber. At .the end of its re-entry stroke, the rammer occupies the position shown in Figure 2.

When the ramming operation has ended,

ascertained the nature of our said invention' and in what manner the same is to be per- Aformed we declare that what we claim is 1. In an apparatus for loading guns, 'the combination of a recoiling barrel, a recuperator rammer rod adapted to recoil with said barrel, a rammer headl ivotally secured to A`said rod, a cradle on w ich the barrel and rammer head move during recoil, a loading traypivoted to said cradle, means for holding said rammer rod in its position of recoil, means controlled by movement of said tray forr'releasingv said rammer head, and tray controlled means for imparting .a pivotal movement to said head.-

lthe gun-server replaces the loading trough 2. In an apparatus for loading guns, the combination of a gun cradle, a loading tray pivoted to said cradle, a recuperator cylinder, a rammer rod operatively engaging said cylinder, a rammer head pivoted to said rod, a guide member for said head pivoted to said cradle, and means for transmitting movement of the tray to said guide.

3. In an apparatus for loading guns, the combination of a gun carriage cradle, a loading plate pivoted thereto, a recuperator positioned adjacent said cradle, a rammer rod actuated by said recuperator, a rammer head operatively engaging said rod, and

y means controlled by said plate for imparting a pivotal movement to said head at the end of its stroke.

4. In an apparatus for loading guns, the combination of a guncarriage cradle, a loading plate pivoted thereto, a recuperator positioned adjacent said cradle, a rammer rod actuated `by said recuperator, a rammer head operatively engaging said rod and having sliding engagement with said cradle, and means moved into operative position by movement ofsaid plate for imparting a pivotal movement to said head and reduce its rectilinear stroke.

5. In an apparatus for loading guns, the combination of a gun carriage cradle, a loadingplate pivoted thereto, a recuperator positionedadjacent said cradle, a rammer rod actuated bysaid recuperator, a rammer head operatively engaging said rod, and a guiding cam pivoted to said cradle for re?. ducing the usual rectilinear stroke of 4said recuperato'r by giving a swinging movement to said head, A

-6. In arrl apparatus for loadingvguns, the

-combination of a recoiling barrel, a recuperator rammer-rod adapted to recoil with the barrel, a rammerh'ead pivotally secured44 to said rod, a cradle on which the barrel and rammer head move during recoil, aloading tray pivoted to saidcradle, a catchfon said rod adapted toI engage a portion of said cradle to hold the rammer head in its position of recoil, means controlled by movement of said tray for. tripping said catch, and a cam member pivoted to said cradle and controlled by movement of said tray for imparting a pivotal movement to the rammer headat the end of its stroke.

7. In combination with a gun, a gun cradle, a loading tray pivoted to said cradle, a recuperator cylinder positioned adjacent the cradle, a rod having operative'engagement with said cylinder, a bolt mounted on said rod, a toothed sector pjvotally secured to said cradle, bolt-actuating ineans pivotally secured to said sector, a rammer head pivotally secured to said rod, a guide member pivoted to said cradle and having engagement with said sector, means forv transmitting movement of said tray to said sector,

lin its ramming stroke,

ramming stroke,

and means secured to said cradle for holding said rod in rearward position.

8. In an apparatus for loading guns, the combination of a gun cradle, a loading tray pivoted thereto, a recuperator cylinder .secured to said cradle, a rammer rod operatively engaging said oylinder, a rammer head operatively engaging said rod, and tray controlled means or imparting a pivotal movement to said head at the end of its rectilinear movement, said rod being moved rearwardly by the recoil of the gun.

9. A shell rammer having two components one of said components .being a rectilinear movement of the rammer and the other component being a swinging movement of said rammer following its rectilinear movement.

10. A shell rammer having a plurality of components in its ramming stroke, said components including a rectilinear movement of the rammer and a swinging movement of the same to complete its ramming stroke. 4

1l. In combination, a gun, a loading tray movable toward and away from the axis of the gun, a shell rammer having two components in its ramming stroke, one of said components being a rectilinear movement of the rammer and the other component being a swinging movement of said rammer following its rectilinear movement, and means for imparting said movements to said rammer.

' 12. In combination, a gun, a recuperator, a shell vrammer pivotally mounted on a moving part of said recupera-tor and receiving rectilinear movement therefrom through a portion of the ramming stroke, and a device for swinging said rammer to complete its ramming stroke.

13. In combination, a gun, a recuperator,

a loading tray pivotally mounted to swing toward and away from the axis of the gun, a shell rammer pivotally mounted on a moving part of said recuperator and receiving rectilinear movement therefrom portion of the ramming stroke, o-perated device for swinging said complete its ramming stroke.

-14. Inl combination, a gun, a recuperator, a rammer operatively connected to a moving part of said recuperator and receiving therefrom a movement in the longitudinal direction ofthe gun through a portion of the and a device for moving the rammer in the transverse direction of the-gun to complete the rammingA stroke.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification-i` and a tray rammer to EUGNE SCHNEIDER.

through a 

